‘Game of Thrones’ Author George R. R. Martin Is About to Kill More of Your Favorites

“Game of Thrones” author George R. R. Martin has a well-earned reputation for breaking fans’ hearts by indiscriminately killing beloved characters in his “Song of Ice and Fire” novels, and apparently, it’s only going to get worse from here.

At an event Tuesday in London, Martin revealed that as his story grows closer to its ultimate ending and more characters begin to cross paths, the more likely it is that the body count will rise.

According to BuzzFeed, Martin admitted, “I have a large number of important characters who I switch between to tell the entirety of the story, and that limits who I can kill. … Sometimes there’s only one character who’s my eye in a particular location, and if I kill that character, everything going on in that particular subplot is going to be lost.”

But sadly, that’s all about to change. Martin continued, “The way my books are structured, everyone was together, then they all went their separate ways and the story deltas out like that. And now it’s getting to the point where the story is beginning to delta back in. The viewpoint characters are meeting up with each other and being in the same point at the same time … which gives me a lot more flexibility for killing people.”

So while fans of the books and HBO adaptation might be eager to see more of their favorite characters interacting as the story progresses through “The Winds of Winter” and the planned final installment in the “Song of Ice and Fire” series, “A Dream of Spring,” you probably shouldn’t be too optimistic about any reunions — because some of the characters might end up as a feast for crows before the end.

Tyrion kills Baelish and reclaims Sansa as his wife.
Jon Snow defeats the White Walkers (with Bran’s magical help), unites the North and invades Westeros, completing the campaign started by Robb Stark and finally getting revenge for his murdered family members.
Rickon is appointed the Warden of the North.
Stannis is killed by the Red Witch for betraying the Fire God. She is killed by Davos.
Sure, Jaime kills Cersei (to save Brienne) whom he then marries and takes over Casterly Rock with.
Daenerys is forced to kill her out-of-control dragons, then returns to the Dothraki grasslands to rule as the Khaleesi (giving up on trying to claim the iron throne).
Arya becomes a skilled assassin and gets her revenge on everyone in her list, saving the Mountain for last. She returns to Bravos to eventually become the First Sword of Bravos.
The Tyrells desert King’s Landing and flee back to The Reach as Jon Snow’s army closes in.
Theon is killed by his sister Yara in battle when the Ironborn slaughter the Boltons.
Samwell becomes a skilled Maester and using the leadership skills learned from Jon and the courage of Gilly, becomes the Commander of the Night’s Watch.
Varys murders Tommen and tries to seize the throne in the turmoil but is killed by Brienne and Jaime (but Cersei blamed Brienne and tried to kill her, which is why Jaime ended up killing Cersei).